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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
First off, thank you so much to Wunderkind PR for my gifted copy of this book to celebrate
❤️P
❤️P
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Death of parent, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The best way I can describe Only on the Weekends is…messy. Sometimes messy in a this–is–life kind of way but more frequently in an I-can’t–communicate kind of way. Which was frustrating for me.
Mack is the son of a famous film director, who has taken on a new project that leads him to Scotland, his son in tow. Leaving things behind isn’t so easy, especially when a budding relationship is happening back home. Karim, a popular basketball player, is in the closet, but he slowly gets warmer towards Mack. However, is this relationship going to withstand long-distance? Especially when there’s Fin, the star of his dad’s production, who is there?
First, let me first spout my grievances about the American cover. So instead of having two beautiful bodies bathed in moonlight, I ended up with a Beige menace? How is this fair whatsoever?
Although that was my prime upset at the beginning, it was quickly set aside. I had a bigger problem. I have a huge issue with historical figures being misgendered. If it’s disputable, defer to neutral pronouns. Pauli Murray made huge contributions to feminist and social justice thinking but that doesn’t erase the fact that they changed their name to something more neutral “Pauli”, which had lots of gender dysphoria that is recorded extensively, and a decades-long desire for hormone therapy. We will never find representation for diverse identities if we don’t take that information as it is.
Now about the book. I loved the representation this book provided. Mack is a fat, Yoruba, gay man who is very confident in his African identity. But for everything else, it felt like he constantly wanted the validation of others to give him confidence, and when that wasn’t present or ambivalent he made himself small and as palatable as possible. This happened a lot with him using makeup and being self-conscious about his size. It also occurred when he wanted more from his relationships. This is a 500 pg book and I wanted there to be more substance rather than self-doubt. Why does every fat person have to feel bad about taking up space? Also, they made him small on the cover, how does that validate anyone?
Only on the Weekends is marketed as a romance novel, but in my opinion that was the place, it lacked. There was huge development throughout the story with Mack and his dad, which was surprisingly wholesome, but for me, this plot was a great example of how trying to find and love yourself in a romantic relationship isn't the way to go. I wanted Mack to know his worth, then add tax. If your love languages aren’t the same, that is a key reason to not be with that person.
There was one poem that explains all of these internal struggles perfectly: What Do You See When You Look At Me? Strangers probably see/A chubby black boy,/Who is a bit shy until/You get to know him./My boyfriend can't see/How much I love him/And I don't know how/To show him, without/Physical touch and public/Displays of affection./I don't know if our hearts are the same./When I look in the mirror,/I see my dad’s smile,/And his body shape, too./ I look at photos/Of Mum and Dad/When they were young./I take after my dad/In appearance only./He has more passion/And determination./ I don't know if our hearts are the same.
Overall this book was good but not great. I could see many people reading and loving it but coming from Atta’s first riveting book, Only on the Weekends paled (literally and figuratively) in comparison. I hope Mack’s story of faking it til’ you make it relates to many and helps them accept themselves and all of the mistakes that are made on the way.
Mack is the son of a famous film director, who has taken on a new project that leads him to Scotland, his son in tow. Leaving things behind isn’t so easy, especially when a budding relationship is happening back home. Karim, a popular basketball player, is in the closet, but he slowly gets warmer towards Mack. However, is this relationship going to withstand long-distance? Especially when there’s Fin, the star of his dad’s production, who is there?
First, let me first spout my grievances about the American cover. So instead of having two beautiful bodies bathed in moonlight, I ended up with a Beige menace? How is this fair whatsoever?
Although that was my prime upset at the beginning, it was quickly set aside. I had a bigger problem. I have a huge issue with historical figures being misgendered. If it’s disputable, defer to neutral pronouns. Pauli Murray made huge contributions to feminist and social justice thinking but that doesn’t erase the fact that they changed their name to something more neutral “Pauli”, which had lots of gender dysphoria that is recorded extensively, and a decades-long desire for hormone therapy. We will never find representation for diverse identities if we don’t take that information as it is.
Now about the book. I loved the representation this book provided. Mack is a fat, Yoruba, gay man who is very confident in his African identity. But for everything else, it felt like he constantly wanted the validation of others to give him confidence, and when that wasn’t present or ambivalent he made himself small and as palatable as possible. This happened a lot with him using makeup and being self-conscious about his size. It also occurred when he wanted more from his relationships. This is a 500 pg book and I wanted there to be more substance rather than self-doubt. Why does every fat person have to feel bad about taking up space? Also, they made him small on the cover, how does that validate anyone?
Only on the Weekends is marketed as a romance novel, but in my opinion that was the place, it lacked. There was huge development throughout the story with Mack and his dad, which was surprisingly wholesome, but for me, this plot was a great example of how trying to find and love yourself in a romantic relationship isn't the way to go. I wanted Mack to know his worth, then add tax. If your love languages aren’t the same, that is a key reason to not be with that person.
There was one poem that explains all of these internal struggles perfectly: What Do You See When You Look At Me? Strangers probably see/A chubby black boy,/Who is a bit shy until/You get to know him./My boyfriend can't see/How much I love him/And I don't know how/To show him, without/Physical touch and public/Displays of affection./I don't know if our hearts are the same./When I look in the mirror,/I see my dad’s smile,/And his body shape, too./ I look at photos/Of Mum and Dad/When they were young./I take after my dad/In appearance only./He has more passion/And determination./ I don't know if our hearts are the same.
Overall this book was good but not great. I could see many people reading and loving it but coming from Atta’s first riveting book, Only on the Weekends paled (literally and figuratively) in comparison. I hope Mack’s story of faking it til’ you make it relates to many and helps them accept themselves and all of the mistakes that are made on the way.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had a really different experience with the first and second halves of Only on the Weekends. I found the first sections tough going, but the narrative really picked up once Mack got to Scotland. Prior to this, this was one of those YA novels that could be quite frustrating to read as an adult. The verse didn't always initially flow as well as The Black Flamingo either.
However, once the book hit its stride, Only on the Weekends turned out to be a moving and inspiring book - I found it really heartwarming, and at times very amusing. The difference between the two halves could even be taken as intentional - the gradual change shows Mack coming into his own, maturing, and growing.
I enjoyed the little Glasgow and London namedrops too (particularly Category Is... Books).
I'm really glad I didn't give up on this whilst trudging through the uneven first half - the conclusion was wonderful.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thanks to Hachette Children's and Netgalley for the ARC.
However, once the book hit its stride, Only on the Weekends turned out to be a moving and inspiring book - I found it really heartwarming, and at times very amusing. The difference between the two halves could even be taken as intentional - the gradual change shows Mack coming into his own, maturing, and growing.
I enjoyed the little Glasgow and London namedrops too (particularly Category Is... Books).
I'm really glad I didn't give up on this whilst trudging through the uneven first half - the conclusion was wonderful.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thanks to Hachette Children's and Netgalley for the ARC.
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dear god that was fantastic
how does dean atta just always know what to say ? i never really thought of myself as a poetry kinda gal but i genuinely and truly wish to consume everything that he creates, not a single word was wasted and not one more was needed, it was so perfect i could cry
how does dean atta just always know what to say ? i never really thought of myself as a poetry kinda gal but i genuinely and truly wish to consume everything that he creates, not a single word was wasted and not one more was needed, it was so perfect i could cry